Celebrating The Birthday Of The Prophet Is A Bidah Book by Abu Ammaar Saeed Ahmed IRFNY

Written By: irfny on December 27, 2013No Comment

“Celebrating the Birthday of the Prophet is a Bid‘ah” by Abu Ammaar Saeed Ahmed

Praise Be Allah

First, we must properly understand the kalimah (declaration of faith).

There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Do you know what ilaah means? The majority of Muslims do not know the true meaning. According to the majority of Muslims, ilaah means: idols, to worship other objects, grave worship, etc. However, Shaytan made them forget about the other meanings of ilaah. It also means who you listen to or obey and who you follow guidelines or suggestions from. One of the worst ilaah is inside your own self: your afs(soul). Following that over Divine revelation can also be considered shirk (worshipping and obeying other than Allah). Follow one’s own desires is a part of shirk. An example is when a knowledge person tells you to do one thing, but you simply choose to do whatever YOU like. That is considered following one’s nafs. Allah mentions it in several places of the Qur’an:

“Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human soul) certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (53)

How does Shaytan do that? He is a smart enemy, and knows what humans love to do: entertainment and things that are pleasurable to a person. He comes to you in form of a scholar, offering or suggesting fatawa (religious verdicts) about something which is already prohibited in Islam, makes you forget the first commandment to obey and follow Allah and the Prophet and he comes to you with justified answers, on finding shortcut to go close to Allah and the get love of the Prophet. Similar to what Iblees did, when Allah asked him to prostrate to Adam, but he started giving justifications for why he should prostrate (obey, be humble, accept) to Adam, that Adam is created with clay and he is created with fire, rather than just bowing down, when Allah commanded (just do it without providing own logic). However, he did not realize that it is Allah Who commanded that, and only Allah has the right to legislate and no other being. Due to arguing with Allah, giving false justifications and for not obeying, he was rejected by Allah till the end of time.

Iblees became more angry and asked Allah for complete permission to whatever he wants in the world, as Allah relates to us:

He said: “Because thou hast thrown me out of the Way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on Thy straight Way. (16) “Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: nor wilt Thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for Thy mercies). (17) (Allah) said: “Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee Hell will I fill with you all. (18)

His permission was granted. His main target is to divert faith from Allah to something else. Shaytan is very smart, and he knows humans will not be completely diverted from faith. Three sins are not forgiven by Allah: shirk, kufr (disbelief), bid‘ah (innovation).

Now, who ever says the kalimahshould be free from shirk and kufr, so Shaytan convinces Muslims to commit bid‘ah. Bid‘ah is a trick of Shaytan that the average Muslim might not be able to identify, unless he or she has knowledge of Islam. Shaytan knows that Muslims will not directly fall into something against Islam, but Shaytan uses a weapon – bid‘ah – in the name of Allah and the Prophet (pbuh). Since Shaytan knows that every Muslim loves the Prophet and will do anything in the name of the Prophet (pbuh). There is a totally difference between loving and obey. Similar to Christianity, they claim, they love Jesus, wearing cross and claiming their love, but practically, their life is opposite of Jesus (pbuh) teachings. Similarly, those Muslims who’s actions are opposite of teachings of the Prophet (pbuh), claim they love the Prophet and celebrate the Milad on the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh), by doing all actions against His (pbuh) teachings.

As Iblees did not pay attention to the first commandment of Allah, similarly Muslims forgot the actual message of Qur’an and Sunnah. What does the Qur’an say about this?

(Prophet) Say: “If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (31)

The above two verses has meaning of the kalimah, in the first verse, Allah said, follow only what has commanded to, and what is the commandment, the next verse said to follow the footsteps of the Prophet (pbuh), and thats it, no need any additional person to follow after the Prophet (pbuh)

…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…

The above verse is a full stop, period of Islam, and nothing is left to teach after that, except to just practice according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Let us look at the story of Shaytan and Adam. The first commandment of Allah to Adam was not to eat the fruit of the tree. How did Shaytan deceive Adam? Did he asked Adam directly to eat the fruit? No, because Adam would not do that. Iblees used Allah’s name to deceive him into thinking that Allah would not want him to eat the fruit, thus preventing him from getting any closer to Allah. Now, the point is that every creation wants to be near to Allah. This is the weapon used by Shaytan to deceive Adam. He told him that he would be close to Allah if he ate the fruit, and Adam was convinced by his cunning words. He did not realize that he forgot the first commandment of Allah, was not to eat the fruit, and Shaytan succeeded and caused Adam to be thrown out of paradise.

What do the ahadith say about this? The Prophet would say in almost every lecture or sermon:

The Prophet (pbuh) clearly stated that no matter what good deeds you do to please Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) if it is not according to the teachings of Qur’an and Sunnah, that deed may cause you, end up in the hellfire.

“Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Bukhari, 49, 861)

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “Some of my companions will come to me at my Lake Fount (Kauthar), and after I recognize them, they will then be taken away from me, whereupon I will say, ‘My companions!’ Then it will be said, ‘You do not know what they innovated (new things) in the religion after you.” (Bukhari, 76, 584)

On the authority of Abu Najeeh al-’Irbaad ibn Saariyah (ra) who said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gave us a sermon by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. So we said, “O Messenger of Allah! It is as though this is a farewell sermon, so counsel us.” He (pbuh) said, “I counsel you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah, and to listen and obey (your leader(when the prophet was alive)), even if a slave were to become your ameer. Verily he among you who lives long will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafa ar-Rashideen (the rightly guided caliphs), those who guide to the right way. Cling to it stubbornly (literally: with your molar teeth). Beware of newly invented matters (in the religion), for verily every bidah (innovation) is misguidance.” (Dawood, 48)

Now, we can understand from the Qur’an and Sunnah, it was not done during the time of the Prophet. In entire life of the Prophet (pbuh), Sahaba, Tabaeen, Taba Tabaeen or next generation, this ritual doesn’t exist anywhere till the end of 6th century. So now the question is who started this innovation, if this was not celebrated before 7th century.

The answer is, there is a 6 centuries gap, but still people celebrating, following their own desires, entertainment, following parents, imams, maulanas, sufis, leaders, scholars, and out of ignorance, when a person see others are doing, he get along with others and start celebrating, without investigating it from the authentic Islamic history about the occasion.

So if it was started after 6 centuries, without any doubts it is Bid’ah, which leads to nothing but hellfire.

This ritual was first started after three centuries of Islam by Shia Faatimids. The next person to do this after them and re-introduce it was King al-Mudhaffar Abu Sa‘eed Kawkaboori, the king of Irbil, at the end of the sixth century or the beginning of the seventh century AH, as was mentioned by the historians such as Ibn Khalkaan and others (may Allah have mercy upon them).

Abu Shaamah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“The first person to do that in Mosul was Shaykh ‘Umar ibn Muhammad al-Malaa, one of the well-known righteous people. Then, the ruler of Irbil and others followed his example.”

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy upon him) said in his biography of Abu Sa’eed Kazkaboori:

“He used to observe the Mawlid (the Prophet’s birthday) in Rabee‘ al-Awwal and hold a huge celebration on that occasion….some of those who were present at the feast of al-Muzaffar on some occasions of the Mawlid said that he used to offer in the feast five thousand grilled heads of sheep, ten thousand chickens and one hundred thousand large dishes, and thirty trays of sweets….he would let the Sufis sing from dhuhr until fajr, and he himself would dance with them.”

Ibn Khalkaan (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“When it is the first of Safar, they decorate those domes with various kinds of fancy adornments, and in every dome there sits a group of singers and a group of puppeteers and players of musical instruments, and they do not leave any one of those domes without setting up a group (of performers) there. The people give up work during this period, and they do no work except for going around and watching the entertainment. When there are two days to go until the Mawlid, they bring out a large number of camels, cows and sheep, more than can be described, and they accompany them with all the drums, songs and musical instruments that they have, until they bring them to the square….On the night of the Mawlid there are performances of nasheed after maghrib in the citadel.”

So, this is the origin of this celebration on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday. More recently, idle entertainment, extravagance, and wasting of money and time have become associated with an innovation for which Allah has not sent down any authority.

How many Muslims know that 12 Rabee‘ al-Awwal may not be the actual date of birth, and there are different opinions by different scholars. However, the truth is that he was born on a Monday and died on a Monday, and his death is correctly cited as 12 Rabee‘ al-Awwal.

Let us put ourselves in the position of Adam and think of misleading scholars as Shaytan in human form, who urges and allows you to do it, but the authentic Qur’an and Sunnah say no to Bid’ah. All these misguiding scholars do not want to accept the truth, because of arrogance, pride and respect before the public; and they keep giving justifications to prove their points.

We should realize that the Companions did not celebrate it nor did the following generation, nor the generation after them. It was started by Shias, not the Companions or Successors. Ask yourself a question: do Christians celebrate the birth of Prophet Jesus on December 25? Yes, and that is not even the correct birthday of Jesus either, it was Christian scholars opinions.

The Prophet stated not to raise him in status like the Christians did to Jesus:

Narrated Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle.” (Bukhari, 55, 654)

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Abu Dawood, 3512)

The above hadith is talking about any people or nation or religion other then Islam, so anyone imitates, celebrating the Prophet (pbuh) birthday, is imitating to Christianity, as they celebrate 25 Dec, Muslims are celebrating 12 Rabi Al-Awwal.

Now, the question is why people celebrate the Prophet’s birthday. They do it to show that they love the Prophet, but that is not obeying the Prophet; it is going against the Sunnah. Imagine if the Prophet were alive, would he like what people do, such as dancing, programs, wasting money, naats, stage shows, etc.? The answer is clearly NO. Muslims claim to love the Prophet, but their lifestyle is against the Sunnah.

They dance, but do not pray five times a day. They waste a lot of money, but the true footsteps of the Prophet, is spending on the poor and homeless kids, who need food and clothing. Rich people arrange shows on the Prophet’s birthday spending millions, but do not give in charity to poor. They can build shelter homes. They can provide food and clothing to poor old parents who are thrown out of homes by their families. They can build schools for homeless kids also. There are many good deeds can be done to go close to Allah and prove their claim of loving their Prophet (pbuh), but all they are doing doesn’t exit and on the top of that Bid’ah rituals, they are getting far away from Allah and Prophet and leading towards hell, because what these ritual is, it is against the teaching of Allah and Prophet (pbuh).

Let say the people who celebrate are not very rich, but a medium level store owner, good job, good life, but still spending money on which is forbidden and can also give to homeless kids on streets. They can donate according to their financial levels, but what ever they donate will be accepted by Allah.

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upqn him) as saying: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.” (Bukhari, 32, 6221)

The hadith tells us, Allah doesn’t care about our claims or showoff, but rather whatever the person is capable to, he can donate, will be accepted by Allah, with the intention that he is giving charity to please Allah.

The major group leaders that celebrate the birth of the Prophet are Tahir ul-Qadri and Ilyas Qadri. Please realize they are shayateen in human form that tries to deceive the innocent public, have no proper knowledge of the true teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Their main leader, innovated new acts of worship in Islam, was “Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi” died 1921, contradicting Quran and Sunnah. His teachings has spread worldwide today, which has misguided millions of Muslims. Do not be convinced by these shayateen. Saudi Arabia has banned these scholars from speaking there because they are innovators. Save yourself from these people. Read the Qur’an with understanding and obtain knowledge of the Sunnah. Allah says:

Verily, this is My Way leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His path: thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous. (153)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded that Abdullah bin Mas`ud said,

“The Messenger of Allah drew a line with his hand (in the sand) and said, This is Allah’s path, leading straight. He then drew lines to the right and left of that line and said, These are the other paths, on each path there is a devil who calls to it.

He then recited,

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path.

Al-Hakim also recorded this Hadith and said; “Its chain is Sahih, but they did not record it.” Imam Ahmad and Abd bin Humayd recorded (and this is the wording of Ahmad) that Jabir said;

“We were sitting with the Prophet when he drew a line in front of him and said, This is Allah’s path. He also drew two lines to its right and two lines to its left and said, These are the paths of Shaytan. He then placed his hand on the middle path and recited this Ayah;

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may have Taqwa.

Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, in the Book of the Sunnah in his Sunan, and Al-Bazzar collected this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that; a man asked Ibn Mas`ud, “What is As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim (the straight path)?

Ibn Mas`ud replied,

“Muhammad left us at its lower end and its other end is in Paradise. To the right of this Path are other paths, and to the left of it are other paths, and there are men (on these paths) calling those who pass by them. Whoever goes on the other paths will end up in the Fire. Whoever takes the Straight Path, will end up in Paradise.”

Ibn Mas`ud then recited the Ayah;

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it,and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path.

Imam Ahmad recorded that, An-Nawwas bin Sam`an said that the Messenger of Allah said, Allah has given a parable of the straight path, and on the two sides of this path, there are two walls containing door ways. On these door ways, there are curtains that are lowered down. on the gate of this path there is a caller heralding, O people! come and enter the straight path all together and do not divide. There is also another caller that heralds from above the path, who says when a person wants to remove the curtain on any of these doors,

`Woe to you! Do not open this door, for if you open it, you will enter it.

The (straight) path is Islam, the two walls are Allah’s set limits, the open doors lead to Allah’s prohibitions, the caller on the gate of the path is Allah’s Book (the Qur’an), while the caller from above the path is Allah’s admonition in the heart of every Muslim.

At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith, and At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Gharib.

Allah’s statement, (so follow it, and follow not (other) paths…), describes Allah’s path in the singular sense, because truth is one. Allah describes the other paths in the plural, because they are many and are divided.

End Of Tafsir

Another example for better understanding:

You are driving on a highway going straight to your destination, but during your drive, you see many exits on the highway going towards towns and cities. On each exit off the highway, Shaytan is standing there, calling you to come to him, and he will show you a faster and shortcut to your destination (going close to Allah).

How can we identify the human shayateen? They will sometimes have a beard, appear to be pious, be regarded as a scholar, performed many Hajjs, and have lot of blessings in their hands. Thousands of people like these people and listen to them, follow them and accept them as their wellwisher and true guidance towards Islamic teachings.

However, the bottom line is that they have forgotten what the Prophet said.

Do not get off the highway, but stay on it to reach the destination, Quran and Sunnah.

How can we stick to the Sunnah and reject other paths?

Read the Qur’an with understanding, learn about the sahih ahadith and learn to differentiate between the ahadith. Do not follow any who seek to take you off this path, no matter how famous or fair-seeming they may appear. This is the only way you will be saved, InshAllah.

Whoever celebrates the Prophet’s birthday, please ask for repentance from Allah – that you will not do it nor you will join in on any celebrations of it – and ask Him to help you by giving you the proper guidance towards the right path.

Also note, if you are not celebrating the Prophet birthday, but anyone involve in their matters who celebrate, consider as among them in the eyes of Prophet.

Example, if they are setting up programs, stage shows, gathering, dinner parties, food, spreading advertisements of some occasion, helping in handling or driving or helping them in any matter related to celebration of the Prophet birthday. You get sinned for helping innovators and become a part of them. Similar to, if anyone selling alcohol, but you helped him in the packaging, you get sinned for even involving in matter that is forbidden by Allah.

It is every Muslim’s duty to spread the true teachings of Islam and get reward.